Herbicidal oxazolidines and methods of use

ABSTRACT

An oxazolidine having the formula ##STR1## wherein X, Y, X&#39; and Y&#39; are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro, bromo, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, m-trifluoromethylphenoxy, methyl, methylthio, methoxy, cyano, nitro and methylsulfonyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of methyl ethyl, chloromethyl and hydroxy methyl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to certain diaryl oxazolidine compounds which are useful as pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides against grasses and broadleaf weed species.

Herbicides are widely used by farmers, commercial agricultural companies, and other industries in order to increase crop yields for such staple crops as corn, soybeans, rice, and the like, and to eliminate weed growth along highways, railroad rights-of-way, and other areas. Herbicides are effective in killing or controlling unwanted weeds which compete for soil nutrients with the crop plants, and by reason of the fact that they kill weeds, are responsible for improving the aesthetic appearance of highway and railroad rights-of-way.

There are a number of different types of herbicides presently sold commercially, and these fall into two general categories. The categories are pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides. The pre-emergence herbicides are normally incorporated into or applied to the soil prior to the emergence of the weed plants from the soil, and the post-emergence herbicides are normally applied to plant surfaces after emergence of the weeds or other unwanted plants from the soil. Some herbicides are effective in both pre-emergent and post-emergent application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that certain diaryl oxazolidines have good herbicidal and plant growth regulating activity, particularly when applied as pre- or post-emergent herbicides and used against grasses or broadleaf weed species.

As used herein, the term "herbicide" means a compound or composition which adversely controls or modifies the growth of plants. By the term "herbicidally effective amount" is meant any amount of such compound or composition which causes an adverse modifying effect upon the growth of plants. By "plants" is meant germinant seeds, emerging seedlings and established vegetation, including roots and above-ground portions. Such controlling or modifying effects include all deviations from natural development, such as killing, retardation, defoliation, desiccation, regulation, stunting, tillering, leaf burn, dwarfing and the like.

The compounds of this invention have the formula ##STR2## wherein

X, Y, X' and Y' are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro, bromo, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, m-trifluoromethylphenoxy, methyl, methylthio, methoxy, cyano, nitro and methylsulfonyl; and

R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, chloromethyl or hydroxy methyl.

Preferred oxazolidine compounds for use in this invention include, 2,3-bis-m-trifluoromethylphenyl-5-ethyl oxazolidine, 2-m-trifluoromethylphenyl-3-phenyl-5-ethyl oxazolidine, 2-m-chlorophenyl-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-fluorophenyl)-5-ethyl oxazolidine, 2-m-cyanophenyl-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl oxazolidine, and 2-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-3-m-trifluorophenyl-5-ethyl oxazolidine.

The diaryl oxazolidines of this invention are prepared by the condensation of substituted N-arylamino ethanols and appropriate benzaldehydes, in accordance with the following general equation. ##STR3##

The substituted arylamino alcohols may be prepared by the condensation of the appropriate aniline with a suitable substituted epoxide.

These reactions are illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 N-m-Trifluoromethylphenylamino-2-butanol

One mole, 161 grams (g) of m-trifluoromethylaniline was combined with 100 milliliters (ml) dioxane, 113 g (1.5 mole) of 1,2-epoxy butane and 1 g of potassium fluoride dissolved in 10 ml of water. The mixture was heated to reflux and monitored by gas-liquid partition chromatography (GLPC). As the reaction proceeded, a peak corresponding to the product appeared, as did a later peak corresponding to the reaction of the product with epoxide. When the product reached 50 to 60% by GLPC (approximately 48 hours) the mixture was cooled, diluted with 100-200 ml of methylene chloride and washed twice with 200 ml portions of water. The methylene chloride solution was separated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and stripped under vacuum. The product solidifed to a crystalline mass on standing. The crystalline mass was triturated with a mixture of 90 parts pentane and 10 parts ether to give purified product, m.p. 46°-47° C. The material was characterized by IR (infrared spectroscopy) and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).

EXAMPLE 2 1-Phenylamino-2-butanol

Aniline, (102.3 g, 1.1 mole) was added to 50 ml of dioxane, 108 g of 1,2-epoxy butane and 1 g of potassium fluoride in 25 ml of water. The mixture heated to reflux for 30 hours. The mixture was poured into water, taken up in 200 ml of methylene chloride, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and stripped under vacuum. The residue was distilled under vacuum and the product, b.p. 98°-106° C. at 0.15 mm, weighed 94 g and was 97% pure by GLPC. It was characterized by IR and NMR.

EXAMPLE 3 2,3-Bis-m-trifluoromethylphenyl-5-ethyl oxazolidine

m-Trifluoromethylphenylamino-2-butanol (2.3 g) was combined with 1.7 g of m-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde and 2 drops of methane sulfonic acid and heated on the steam bath for about 30 minutes. The mixture was heated under vacuum to remove water, giving a clear oil, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.4955. The product was characterized by IR and NMR.

EXAMPLE 4 2-m-Trifluoromethylphenyl-3-phenyl-5-ethyl oxazolidine

1-Phenylamino-2-butanol (3.1 g) was combined with 3.3 g of m-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde and heated on the steam bath for about 20 minutes and stripped of water on the rotary evaporator. Yield was 5.8 g, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5521. The product was characterized by IR and NMR.

EXAMPLE 5 2-m-Chlorophenyl-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-fluorophenyl)-5-ethyl oxazolidine

Meta-chlorobenzaldehyde (2.3 g, 0.016 mole) was combined with 5 g of 1-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-fluorophenylamino)-2-butanol and 3 drops of methane sulfonic acid was added. The mixture was heated on the steam bath for about one hour and stripped on the rotary evaporator. The product, a sticky, thick liquid, was characterized by IR and NMR.

EXAMPLE 6 2-m-Cyanophenyl-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl oxazolidine

Meta-cyanobenzaldehyde (2.1 g, 0.016 mole) was added to 4.3 g of 1-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenylamino)-2-butanol in 50 ml of toluene and 2-3 drops of methane sulfonic acid was added. The mixture was refluxed under a modified Dean-Stark apparatus until no more water came off and the mixture was stripped on a rotary evaporator. Yield was 6 g of product, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5774. It was characterized by IR and NMR.

EXAMPLE 7 2-(3-Trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-3-m-trifluorophenyl-5-ethyl oxazolidine

3-Trifluoromethy-4-chlorobenzaldehyde (3.1 g, 0.015 mole) was mixed with 2.7 g of 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenylamino)-2-butanol and 2 drops of methane sulfonic acid was added. The mixture was heated on the steam bath for about one hour and stripped on a rotary evaporator. The product, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5342, was characterized by IR and NMR.

Compounds of the invention, prepared in accordance with the general process described above in Examples 1-6, are listed in Table I below.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR5##                                                                      Compound                                                                       Number                                                                               X       Y     X'      Y'   R                                             __________________________________________________________________________     1     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               2     m-Cl    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               3     m-CN    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               4     m-Br    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               5     m-F     H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               6     m-NO.sub.2                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               7     m-CH.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               8     p-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               9     o-Cl    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               10    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               11    3-Cl    4-Cl  m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               12    2-Cl    6-Cl  m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               13    o-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               14    p-NO.sub.2                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               15    2-Cl    5-NO.sub.2                                                                           m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               16    2-NO.sub.2                                                                             5-Cl  m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               17    2-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           3-CH.sub.3 O                                                                         m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               18    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               19    m-CN    H     m-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               20    m-Cl    H     m-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               21    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               22    m-CN    H     p-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               23    m-Cl    H     p-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               24    m-Br    H     p-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               25    m-NO.sub.2                                                                             H     p-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               26    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               27    m-CN    H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               28    m-Cl    H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               29    m-Br    H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               30    m-F     H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               31    m-NO.sub.2                                                                             H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               32    m-CH.sub.3                                                                             H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               33    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             5-CF.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               34    m-Cl    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             5-CF.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               35    m-Br    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             5-CF.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               36    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               37    m-CN    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               38    m-Cl    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               39    m-Br    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               40    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CN    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               41    m-CN    H     m-CN    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               42    m-Cl    H     m-CN    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               43    m-Br    H     m-CN    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               44    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-Cl    4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               45    m-CN    H     3-Cl    4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               46    m-Cl    H     3-Cl    4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               47    m-Br    H     3-Cl    4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               48    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-CH.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               49    m-CN    H     p-CH.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               50    m-Cl    H     p-CH.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               51    m-Br    H     p-CH.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               52    H       H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               53    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CH.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               54    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2                                                                    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               55    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               56    m-CN    H     m-CF.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               57    m-Cl    H     m-CF.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               58    m-Br    H     m-CF.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               59    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-CH.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               60    m-CN    H     p-CH.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               61    m-Cl    H     p-CH.sub.3 S                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               62    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2                                                                    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               63    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               64    m-CN    H     p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               65    m-Cl    H     p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               66    m-Br    H     p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               67    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-CN    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               68    m-CN    H     p-CN    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               69    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-NO.sub.2                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub. 5                              70    m-CN    H     p-NO.sub.2                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               71    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-NO.sub.2                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               72    m-CN    H     m-NO.sub.2                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               73    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-F     H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               74    m-CN    H     p-F     H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               75    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     p-Br    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               76    m-CN    H     p-Br    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               77    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-Cl    4-CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               78    m-CN    H     3-Cl    4-CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               79    m-CN    H     o-F     H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               80    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-F     H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               81    m-CN    H     m-F     H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               82    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-Br    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               83    m-CN    H     m-Br    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               84    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-CH.sub.3                                                                             4-Br C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               85    m-CN    H     3-CH.sub.3                                                                             4-Br C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               86    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-Cl    4-F  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               87    m-CN    H     3-Cl    4-F  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               88    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-Cl    4-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               89    m-CN    H     3-Cl    4-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        C.sub.2 H.sub. 5                              90    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     H       H    H                                             91    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    CH.sub.3                                      92    m-CN    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    CH.sub.3                                      93    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    CH.sub.2 OH                                   94    m-Br    H     m-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               95    m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-NO.sub.2                                                                             4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               96    3-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           4-CH.sub.3 O                                                                         3-Cl    4-F  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               97    m-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               98    3-CH.sub.3 O                                                                           5-CH.sub.3 O                                                                         m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               99    m-C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O                                                                    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               100   p-C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O                                                                    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               101   3-C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O                                                                    4-C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O                                                                  m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               102   m-CN    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               103   m-Br    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-F  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               104   m-Cl    H     3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-F  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               105   3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl  m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               106   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-F  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               107   m-CN    H     3-Cl    4-Br C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               108   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-Cl    4-Br C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               109   m-Cl    H     3-Cl    4-Br C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               110   m-Br    H     3-Cl,   4-Br C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               111   3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl  3-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               112   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     3-F     4-CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               113   m-CN    H     3-F     4-CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               114   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.4 H.sub.9                               115   m-CN    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.4 H.sub.9                               116   m-Cl    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.4 H.sub.9                               117   m-Br    H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.4 H.sub.9                               118   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             4-Cl  3-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               119   2-F     4-F   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               120   2-F     6-F   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               121   (a)     H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               122   H       H     H       H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               123   m-NO.sub.2                                                                             H     p-Cl    H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                               124   m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H     m-CF.sub.3                                                                             H    CH.sub.2 OH                                   __________________________________________________________________________      (a) is m(3'-CF.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 O)                                  

The herbicidal activity of the preferred compounds of the invention is exhibited by means of tests in accordance with the following procedure.

EXAMPLE 8 Herbicidal Activity Tests

This example offers herbicidal activity test data to show the effectiveness of the compounds of the invention. The effect is observed by comparing the extent of weed control in test flats treated with the compounds against that occurring in similar control flats. The soil used in these tests was a sandy loam soil from the Livermore, Calif. area.

Also added to the soil was 17-17-17 fertilizer (N-P₂ O₅ -K₂ O on a weight basis), amounting to 100 ppm by weight with respect to the soil and 200 ppm Captan, a soil fungicide.

The treated soil was then placed in flats which were 3 inches deep, 6 inches wide, and 10 inches long. The soil was tamped and leveled with a row marker to impress six rows across the width of the flat. The test weeds were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         COMMON NAME   SCIENTIFIC NAME   ABR                                            ______________________________________                                         GRASSES:                                                                       annual ryegrass                                                                              Lolium multiflorum                                                                               ARG                                            watergrass    Echinochloa crusgalli                                                                            WG                                             shattercane   Sorghum bicolor   SHC                                            wild oat      Avena fatua       WO                                             broadleaf signalgrass                                                                        Brachiaria platyphylla                                                                           BSG                                            green foxtail Setaria viridis   FT                                             yellow nutsedge                                                                              Cyperus esculentus                                                                               YNS                                            downy brome   Bromus tectoram   DB                                             Broadleaf Weeds:                                                               sickle pod    Cassia obtusifolia                                                                               SP                                             sesbania      Sesbanis exaltata SESB                                           cocklebur     Xanthium pensylvanicum                                                                           CB                                             annual morningglory                                                                          Ipomea purpurea   AMG                                            velvetleaf    Abutilon theoprasti                                                                              VL                                             mustard       Brassica juncea   MD                                             curly dock    Rumex crispus     CD                                             ______________________________________                                    

Crop plants were also planted at the same time. These were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         CROP PLANTS    SCIENTIFIC NAME  ABR                                            ______________________________________                                         sugarbeets     Beta vulgaris    SB                                             soybeans       Glycine max      SOY                                            rice           Oryzae sativa    RC                                             cotton         Gossypium hirsutum                                                                              COT                                            wheat          Triticum aestivum                                                                               WH                                             milo           Sorghum bicolor  ML                                             corn           Zea mays         CN                                             ______________________________________                                    

Sufficient seeds were planted to produce several seedlings per inch in each row. The flats were then placed in a greenhouse maintained at 70° to 85° F. (21° to 30° C.) and watered daily by sprinkler.

In pre-emergent testing (PES) the herbicide is incorporated into the soil prior to planting of the seeds.

In post-emergent testing (POS) chemical application is made by spraying 12 days after planting. The spray solution is prepared by dissolving 84 mg of herbicide compound in 20 ml of acetone containing 0.5% polyoxysorbitan monolaurate emulsifier, then adding 20 ml of water to the resulting solution. The solution is sprayed at 25 gallon/acre, yielding a herbicide application rate of 4 pounds per acre.

Approximately 12-14 days after treatment, the degree of weed control was estimated and recorded as percentage control compared to the growth of the same species in an untreated check flat of the same age. The rating scale ranges from 0 to 100%, where 0 equals no effect with plant growth equal to the untreated control, and 100 equals complete kill.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Cmpd.                                                                              Application                                                                No. Rate (lb/A)                                                                           Method                                                                              FT WG WO AMG PS MD CD YNS                                      __________________________________________________________________________     1   4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               20  100                                                                               100                                                                               80 0                                            4.00   POS  60 60 60 30  30 40 20 10                                       2   4.00   PES  N  N  N  N   N  N  N  N                                            4.00   POS  90 65 60 40  60 60 90 0                                        3   4.00   PES  100                                                                               97 95 30  90 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  80 70 85 55  75 45 40 0                                        4   4.00   PES  100                                                                               35 30 0   15 0  40 0                                            4.00   POS  65 60 40 50  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 0                                        5   4.00   PES  45 10 0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  80 20 10 20  20 15 25 0                                        6   4.00   PES  95 20 20 0   0  0  30 0                                            4.00   POS  85 20 10 20  60 50 60 0                                        7   4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  15 10 0  10  20 10 0  0                                        8   4.00   PES  20 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  45 20 0  20  40 20 15 0                                        9   4.00   PES  60 20 0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 10 0  5   20 30 20 0                                        10  4.00   PES  60 20 0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  40 0  0  5   20 30 20 0                                        11  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  10 0  0  10  20 20 0  0                                        12  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  10 0  0  5   20 20 20 0                                        13  4.00   PES  30 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 10 0  10  N  15 10 5                                        14  4.00   PES  40 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  10 30 10 0                                        15  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                        16  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                        17  4.00   PES  50 10 0  15  0  0  50 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                        18  4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               95 20  75 100                                                                               80 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               65 80 70  N  80 100                                                                               15                                       19  4.00   PES  95 90 10 0   0  70 70 0                                            4.00   POS  90 60 25 100 90 100                                                                               60 0                                        20  4.00   PES  70 40 35 0   0  20 10 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               40 45 60  N  70 60 10                                       21  4.00   PES  N  N  N  N   N  N  N  N                                            4.00   POS  70 60 60 60  100                                                                               30 30 0                                        22  4.00   PES  100                                                                               65 40 15  35 80 20 0                                            4.00   POS  70 35 0  35  85 70 30 0                                        23  4.00   PES  100                                                                               40 45 0   0  20 10 0                                            4.00   POS  60 20 20 30  75 30 25 0                                        24  4.00   PES  100                                                                               30 30 10  0  15 0  0                                            4.00   POS  70 30 40 20  70 55 30 0                                        25  4.00   PES  50 0  0  0   0  0  0  50                                           4.00   POS  0  0  0  30  40 50 20 0                                        26  4.00   POS  90 40 40 35  70 60 85 0                                            4.00   PES  100                                                                               15 10 0   0  20 0  0                                        27  4.00   PES  60 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  70 20 0  20  N  70 10 0                                        28  4.00   PES  15 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  70 20 30 25  70 50 80 0                                        29  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 0  0  15  N  30 10 0                                        30  4.00   PES  20 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 10 0  20  N  40 10 0                                        31  4.00   PES  10 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  N  10 0  0                                        32  4.00   PES  25 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  N  20 0  0                                        33  4.00   PES  35 0  0  0   0  0  50 0                                            4.00   POS  10 10 0  20  20 35 10 0                                        34  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0     0  50  30 50 20 0                                        35  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  25  60 80 20 0                                        36  4.00   PES  100                                                                               60 60 40  98 100                                                                               65 0                                            4.00   POS  35 50 60 80  90 60 25 0                                        37  4.00   PES  100                                                                               60 60 20  40 95 90 0                                            4.00   POS  40 20 30 15  90 70 15 10                                       38  4.00   PES  100                                                                               40 65 0   0  40 70 35                                           4.00   POS  20 40 40 75  75 80 90 0                                        39  4.00   PES  100                                                                               0  60 0   0  30 60 0                                            4.00   POS  30 40 50 80  100                                                                               80 60 0                                        40  4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               85 45  60 90 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  90 80 80 70  100                                                                               75 60 20                                       41  4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 60 15  80 100                                                                               70 0                                            4.00   POS  60 20 15 55  90 65 40 0                                        42  4.00   PES  100                                                                               85 75 5   60 95 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  60 20 20 35  70 60 30 0                                        43  4.00   PES  85 80 40 0   15 50 80 40                                           4.00   POS  70 40 30 50  65 70 80 10                                       44  4.00   PES  100                                                                               95 95 15  20 70 70 0                                            4.00   POS  70 40 20 60  90 50 40 0                                        45  4.00   PES  100                                                                               65 40 10  60 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  25 10 10 65  80 60 10 0                                        46  4.00   PES  80 10 0  0   0  30 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  40 20 15 20  45 60 20 0                                        47  4.00   PES  75 0  0  0   0  30 60 0                                            4.00   POS  20 10 10 35  85 60 30 0                                        48  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  25 35 35 30  70 35 15 0                                        49  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 0  0  30  75 80 0  0                                        50  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  15 0  10  60 80 10 0                                        51  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  30 15 0  0   30 85 10 0                                        52  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 0  0  10  N  20 0  0                                        53  4.00   PES  100                                                                               60 20 25  45 90 70 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               60 100                                                                               40  100                                                                               55 35 0                                        54  4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 65 80  65 100                                                                               95 0                                            4.00   POS  30 30 25 60  80 80 55 0                                        55  4.00   PES  80 20 20 0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               0  20 15  95 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                        56  4.00   PES  100                                                                               10 15 0   0  70 20 0                                            4.00   POS  80 0  0  40  100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                        57  4.00   PES  65 0  0  0   60 0  50 40                                           4.00   POS  30 10 01 45  60 65 10 0                                        58  4.00   PES  20 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  30 15 15 30  60 80 0  0                                        59  4.00   PES  100                                                                               20 100                                                                               0   70 100                                                                               30 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               30 70 80  100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                        60  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  80 15 0  45  40 55 25 0                                        61  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  75 60 0                                            4.00   POS  20 10 0  25  35 80 20 0                                        62  4.00   PES  85 50 50 98  100                                                                               100                                                                               98 65                                           4.00   POS  65 25 40 60  80 80 60 0                                        63  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 10 0  20  35 40 10 0                                        64  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  30  25 35 0  0                                        65  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  10 10 0  0                                        66  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  50  40 25 0  0                                        67  4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 70 40  80 100                                                                               0  0                                            4.00   POS  60 60 40 40  100                                                                               50 30 0                                        68  4.00   PES  95 40 20 20  0  100                                                                               40 0                                            4.00   POS  10 10 0  15  20 65 10 0                                        69  4.00   PES  100                                                                               60 40 40  80 100                                                4.00   POS  0  0  0  20  85 70 30 0                                        70  4.00   PES  100                                                                               40 30 20  20 40 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  20  40 50 15 0                                        71  4.00   PES  100                                                                               97 100                                                                               20  40 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  45 35 40 30  60 75 35 0                                        72  4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 35 45  100                                                                               100                                                                               30 0                                            4.00   POS  15 15 0  20  80 30 15 0                                        73  4.00   PES  100                                                                               85 25 15  0  70 60 0                                            4.00   POS  25 15 0  30  45 45 45 0                                        74  4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 25 0   0  40 0  0                                            4.00   POS  35 20 25 15  65 80 0  0                                        75  4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 80 60  50 100                                                                               100                                                                               25                                           4.00   POS  50 25 10 80  80 70 70 0                                        76  4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 60 0   25 60 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  50  65 60 40 0                                        77  4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 80 60  50 100                                                                               100                                                                               25                                           4.00   POS  50 25 10 80  80 70 70 0                                        78  4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 90 10  10 95 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  50 10 10 50  80 80 80 0                                        79  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  50 0  25 20  25 80 0  0                                        80  4.00   PES  100                                                                               75 65 0   10 25 25 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   40 60 0  0                                        81  4.00   PES  100                                                                               70 0  0   0  80 20 0                                            4.00   POS  35 0  0  25  75 75 20 0                                        82  4.00   PES  100                                                                               95 65 20  25 100                                                                               95 0                                            4.00   POS  85 25 15 80  85 85 60 0                                        83  4.00   PES  100                                                                               75 5  15  15 75 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  25  50 75 95 0                                        84  4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 50 50  60 85 80 N                                            4.00   POS  90 50 50 80  80 80 100                                                                               0                                        85  4.00   PES  95 50 50 50  50 80 90 N                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  N   N  N  N  N                                        86  4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               70 70  100                                                                               100                                                                               95 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               65 50 75  75 85 60 0                                        87  4.00   PES  95 90 70 75  40 100                                                                               85 0                                            4.00   POS  95 25 25 65  75 80 50 0                                        88  4.00   PES  95 10 10 0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  25 50 10 65  35 85 0  0                                        89  4.00   PES  90 0  0  0   0  25 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  25  25 75 0  0                                        90  4.00   PES  0  0  0  10  10 20 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                        91  4.00   PES  80 20 70 20  25 100                                                                               0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 25 0  30  25 30 50 0                                        92  4.00   PES  70 40 40 15  20 100                                                                               0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 0  0  30  60 40 15 0                                        93  4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  50 0  0  10  10 25 0  0                                        94  4.00   PES  85 25 0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  85 35 35 60  40 70 85 0                                        95  4.00   PES  95 85 40 35  80 90 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  65 40 50 50  50 70 100                                                                               0                                        96  4.00   PES  50 0  0  0   0  0  90 0                                            4.00   POS  40 0  0  10  10 40 0  0                                        97  4.00   PES  95 50 0  0   0  0  100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  25 0  0  35  40 50 50 0                                        98  4.00   PES  35 0  0  0   0  20 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  20 40 0  0                                        99  4.00   PES  80 50 0  0   0  0  50 0                                            4.00   POS  35 0  0  230 25 70 35 0                                        100 4.00   PES  90 60 0  10  20 25 80 0                                            4.00   POS  40 50 0  70  70 85 75 0                                        101 4.00   PES  70 40 0  10  0  40 10 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                        102 4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 40 25  50 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  60 60 40 85  85 80 100                                                                               20                                       103 4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 20 20  50 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  70 50 40 60  50 60 95 0                                        104 4.00   PES  100                                                                               95 40 60  100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               75 40 90  85 70 100                                                                               20                                       105 4.00   PES  100                                                                               80 40 25  35 95 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               80 35 70  50 60 85 0                                        106 4.00   PES  95 95 40 70  100                                                                               85 50 0                                            4.00   POS  90 85 25 50  60 100                                                                               85 25                                       107 4.00   PES  75 70 30 15  20 20 20 0                                            4.00   POS  40 25 25 35  50 65 75 N                                        108 4.00   PES  85 75 35 40  20 20 25 0                                            4.00   POS  75 45 10 10  10 20 0  0                                        109 4.00   PES  75 45 10 10  10 20 0  0                                            4.00   POS  35 20 20 25  60 60 50 N                                        110 4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  15 25 0  20  20 75 25 0                                        111 4.00   PES  90 60 30 30  30 75 20 0                                            4.00   POS  75 25 40 30  40 60 65 N                                        112 4.00   PES  95 95 40 25  60 50 20 20                                           4.00   POS  50 35 35 35  25 40 80 50                                       113 4.00   PES  90 60 30 20  30 30 10 90                                           4.00   POS  50 35 25 100 40 70 50 50                                       114 4.00   PES  25 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  50 20 10 25  35 30 25 35                                       115 4.00   PES  25 0  0  0   0  20 0  0                                            4.00   POS  50 20 0  20  25 35 10 35                                       116 4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 0  0  20  10 35 10 0                                        117 4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  10 0  0  15  10 35 0  0                                        118 4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 0  25  45 50 25 25                                           4.00   POS  85 60 60 75  75 65 35 100                                      119 4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  10 30 20 40  40 60 40 0                                        120 4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  15  20 60 50 0                                        121 4.00   PES  70 40 35 0   0  20 10 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                        122 4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 0  0  10  N  20 0  0                                        123 4.00   PES  50 0  0  0   0  0  0  50                                           4.00   POS  0  0  0  30  40 50 20 0                                        124 4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  50 0  0  10  10 25 0  0                                        __________________________________________________________________________

METHODS OF APPLICATION

The herbicidal compositions of the present invention are useful in controlling the growth of undesirable vegetation by pre-emergence or post-emergence application to the locus where control is desired, including pre-plant and post-plant soil incorporation as well as surface application. Post-emergent application is preferred. The compositions are generally embodied in formulations suitable for convenient application. Typical formulations contain additional ingredients or diluent carriers which are either inert or active. Examples of such ingredients or carriers are water, organic solvents, dust carriers, granular carriers, surface active agents, oil and water, wateroil emulsions, wetting agents, dispersing agents, and emulsifying agents. The herbicidal formulations generally take the form of dusts, emulsifiable concentrates, granules and pellets, or microcapsules.

A. DUSTS

Dusts are dense powder compositions which are intended for application in dry form. Dusts are characterized by their free-flowing and rapid settling properties so that they are not readily windborne to areas where their presence is not desired. They contain primarily an active material and a dense, free-flowing, solid carrier.

Their performance is sometimes aided by the inclusion of a wetting agent, and convenience in manufacture frequently demands the inclusion of an inert, absorptive grinding aid. For the dust compositions of this invention, the inert carrier may be either of vegetable or mineral origin, the wetting agent is preferably anionic or nonionic, and suitable absorptive grinding aids are of mineral origin.

Suitable classes of inert solid carriers for use in the dust compositions are those organic or inorganic powders which possess high bulk density and are very free-flowing. They are also characterized by low surface area and poor liquid absorptivity. Suitable grinding aids are natural clays, diatomaceous earths, and synthetic mineral fillers derived from silica or silicate. Among ionic and nonionic wetting agents, the most suitable are the members of the group known to the art as wetting agents and emulsifiers. Although solid agents are preferred because of ease of incorporation, some liquid nonionic agents are also suitable in the dust formulations.

Preferred dust carriers are micaceous talcs, pyrophyllite, dense kaolin clays, tobacco dust and ground calcium phosphate rock.

Preferred grinding aids are attapulgite clay, diatomaceous silica, synthetic fine silica and synthetic calcium and magnesium silicates.

Most preferred wetting agents are alkylbenzene and alkyl-naphthalene sulfonates, sulfated fatty alcohols, amines or acid amides, long chain acid esters of sodium isothionate, esters of sodium sulfosuccinate, sulfated or sulfonated fatty acid esters, petroleum sulfonates, sulfonated vegetable oils, and ditertiary acetylenic glycols. Preferred dispersants are methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, lignin sulfonates, polymeric alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, sodium naphthalenesulfonate, polymethylene bisnaphthalenesulfonate, and sodium-N-methyl-N-(long chain acid) taurates.

The inert solid carriers in the dusts of this invention are usually present in concentrations of from about 30 to 90 weight percent of the total composition. The grinding aid will usually constitute 5 to 50 weight percent of the compositions, and the wetting agent will constitute from about 0 to 1.0 weight percent of the composition. Dust compositions can also contain other surfactants such as dispersing agents in concentrations of up to about 0.5 weight percent, and minor amounts of anticaking and antistatic agents. The particle size of the carrier is usually in the range of 30 to 50 microns.

B. EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATES

Emulsifiable concentrates are usually solutions of the active materials in nonwater-miscible solvents together with an emulsifying agent. Prior to use, the concentrate is diluted with water to form a suspended emulsion of solvent droplets.

Typical solvents for use in emulsifiable concentrates include weed oils, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and nonwater-miscible ethers, esters, and ketones.

Typical emulsifying agents are anionic or nonionic surfactants, or mixtures of the two. Examples include long-chain alkyl or mercaptan polyethoxy alcohols, alkylaryl polyethoxy alcohols, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene ethers with sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycol esters with fatty or rosin acids, fatty alkylol amide condensates, calcium and amine salts of fatty alcohol sulfates, oil soluble petroleum sulfonates, or preferably mixtures of these emulsifying agents. Such emulsifying agents will comprise from about 1 to 10 weight percent of the total composition.

Thus, emulsifiable concentrates of the present invention will consist of from about 15 to about 50 weight percent active material, about 40 to 82 weight percent solvent, and about 1 to 10 weight percent emulsifier. Other additives such as spreading agents and stickers can also be included.

C. GRANULES AND PELLETS

Granules and pellets are physically stable, particulate composicompositons containing the active ingredients adhering to or distributed through a basic matrix of a coherent, inert carrier with microscopic dimensions. A typical particle is about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Surfactants are often present to aid in leaching of the active ingredient from the granule or pellet.

The carrier is preferably of mineral origin, and generally falls within one of two types. The first are porous, absorptive, preformed granules, such as preformed and screened granular attapulgite or heat expanded, granular, screened vermiculite. On either of these, a solution of the active agent can be sprayed and will be absorbed at concentrations up to 25 weight percent of the total weight. The second, which are also suitable for pellets, are initially powdered kaolin clays, hydrated attapulgite, or bentonite clays in the form of sodium, calcium, or magnesium bentonites. Water-soluble salts, such as sodium salts, may also be present to aid in the disintegration of granules or pellets in the presence of moisture. These ingredients are blended with the active components to give mixtures that are granulated or pelleted, followed by drying, to yield formulations with the active component distributed uniformly throughout the mass. Such granules and pellets can also be made with 25 to 30 weight percent active component, but more frequently a concentration of about 10 weight percent is desired for optimum distribution. The granular compositions of this invention are most useful in a size range of 15-30 mesh.

The surfactant is generally a common wetting agent of anionic or nonionic character. The most suitable wetting agents depend upon the type of granule used. When preformed granules are sprayed with active material in liquid form the most suitable wetting agents are nonionic, liquid wetters miscible with the solvent. These are compounds most generally known in the art as emulsifiers, and comprise alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alkyl polyether alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol esters with fatty or rosin acids, fatty alkylol amide condensates, oil solution petroleum or vegetable oil sulfonates, or mixtures of these. Such agents will usually comprise up to about 5 weight percent of the total composition.

When the active ingredient is first mixed with a powdered carrier and subsequently granulated, or pelleted, liquid nonionic wetters can still be used, but is usually preferable to incorporate at the mixing stage one of the solid, powdered anionic wetting agents such as those previously listed for the wettable powders. Such agents will comprise from about 0 to 2 weight percent of the total composition.

Thus, the preferred granular or pelleted formulations of this invention comprise about 5 to 30 percent by weight active material, about 0 to 5 weight percent wetting agent, and about 65 to 95 weight percent inert material carrier, as these terms are used herein.

D. MICROCAPSULES

Microcapsules consist of fully enclosed droplets or granules containing the active materials, in which the enclosing material is an inert porous membrane, arranged to allow escape of the enclosed materials to the surrounding medium at controlled rates over a specified period. Encapsulated droplets are typically about 1 to 50 microns in diameter.

The enclosed liquid typically constitutes about 50 to 95% of the weight of the entire capsule, and may contain a small amount of solvent in addition to the active materials.

Encapsulated granules are characterized by porous membranes sealing the openings of the granule carrier pores, trapping the liquid containing the active components inside for controlled release. A typical granule size ranges from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter in diameter. In agricultural useage, the granule size is generally about 1 to 2 ml in diameter. Granules formed by extrusion, agglomeration, or prilling are useful in the present invention as well as materials in their naturally occurring form. Examples of such carriers are vermiculite, sintered clay granules, kaolin, attapulgite clay, sawdust, and granular carbon.

Useful encapsulating materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, cellulosic materials, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, and starch xanthates.

E. IN GENERAL

Each of the above formulations can be prepared as a package containing the herbicide together with the other ingredients of the formulation (diluents, emulsifiers, surfactants, etc.). The formulations can also be prepared by a tank mix method, in which the ingredients are obtained separately and combined at the grower site.

In general, any conventional method of application can be used. The locus of application can be soil, seeds, seedlings, or the actual plants, as well as flooded fields. Post-emergent application is preferred. Dusts and liquid compositions can be applied by the use of powder dusters, boom and hand sprayers, and spray dusters. The compositions can also be applied from airplanes as dusts and sprays because they are effective in very low dosages. In order to modify or control the growth of germinating seeds or emerging seedlings, as a typical example, the dust and liquid compositions are applied to the soil according to conventional methods and are distributed in the soil to a depth of at least one-half inch below the soil surface. It is not necessary that the phytotoxic compositions be admixed with the soil particles. Instead, these compositions can be applied merely by spraying or sprinkling the surface of the soil. The phytotoxic compositions of this invention can also be applied by addition to irrigation water supplied to the field to be treated. This method of application permits the penetration of the compositions into the soil as the water is absorbed therein. Dust compositions, granular compositions or liquid formulations applied to the surface of the soil can be distributed below the surface of the soil by conventional means such as discing, dragging or mixing operations.

The herbicide compositions can also be applied to the soil through irrigation systems. According to this technique, the compositions are added directly to irrigation water immediately prior to irrigation of the field. This technique is applicable in all geographical areas regardless of rainfall, since it permits supplementation of the natural rainfall at critical stages of plant growth. In a typical application, the concentration of the herbicide composition in the irrigation water will range from about 10 to 150 parts per million by weight. The irrigation water can be applied by the use of sprinkler systems, surface furrows, or flooding. Such application is most effectively done before the weeds germinate, either early in the spring prior to germination or within two days after cultivation of the field.

The amount of the present composition which constitutes a herbicidally effective amount depends upon the nature of the seeds or plants to be controlled. The rate of application of active ingredient varies from about 0.01 to about 50 pounds per acre, preferably about 0.1 to about 25 pounds per acre with the actual amount depending on the overall cost and the desired results. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that compositions exhibiting lower herbicidal activity will require a higher dosage than more active compounds for the same degree of control. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An oxazolidine having the formula ##STR6## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, cyano, chloro or bromo;Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or chloro. X' and Y' are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro, bromo, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, m-trifluoromethylphenoxy, methyl, methylthio, methoxy, cyano, nitro and methylsulfonyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of methyl or ethyl.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-trifluoromethyl, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-chloro, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-chloro, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is p-chloro, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 8. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-CN, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 9. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-CN, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-CN, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 10. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 11. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m--CH₃ SO₂ --, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 12. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-nitro, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 13. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-chloro, Y' is 4-methyl and R is ethyl.
 14. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-Br, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 15. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-CN, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-chloro, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 16. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-nitro, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 17. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-CN, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 18. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is n-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 19. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y is 4-chloro, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 20. An herbicidal composition comprising an herbicidally effective amount of an oxazolidine having the formula ##STR7## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, cyano, chloro or bromo:Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or chloro: X' and Y' are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro, bromo, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, m-trifluoromethylphenoxy methyl, methylthio, methoxy, cyano, nitro and methylsulfonyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of methyl or ethyl.
 21. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-trifluoromethyl, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 22. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 23. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-chloro, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 24. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-chloro, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 25. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is p-chloro, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 26. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 27. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-CN, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 28. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-CN, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-CN, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 29. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 30. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m--CH₃ SO₂ --, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 31. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-nitro, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 32. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-chloro, Y' is 4-methyl and R is ethyl.
 33. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-Br, Y' is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 34. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-CN, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-chloro, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 35. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-nitro, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl.
 36. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-CN, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 37. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 38. A composition according to claim 20 wherein X is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y is 4-chloro, X' is 3-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 39. A method for controlling undesirable weed pests which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of an oxazolidine compound having the formula ##STR8## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, cyano, chloro or bromo:Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or chloro; X' and Y' are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro, bromo, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, m-trifluoromethylphenoxy, methyl, methylthio, methoxy, cyano, nitro and methylsulfonyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of methyl or ethyl.
 40. A method according to claim 39 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y' is hydrogen, X' is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen and R is ethyl.
 41. A method according to claim 39 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is m-trifluoromethyl, Y' is 4-fluoro and R is ethyl.
 42. A method according to claim 39 wherein X is m-trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, X' is 3-chloro, Y' is 4-chloro and R is ethyl. 